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Billy Murray

Billy Murray

Actor and producer · Born October 6, 1941 (85) · Forest Gate, London, England, UK

Billy Murray has entertained British Television audiences for over thirty years. He is perhaps best known for his role as DS Don Beech in ITV series The Bill (1984), and has also appeared in EastEnders (1985) as the crime boss "Johnnie Allen". His on-screen presence is very much underrated and thanks to his charismatic manner Murray has always given convincing edge and depth to the characters he portrays. He was set to play Derek "Del Boy" Trotter in Only Fools and Horses (1981) but was replaced at the last minute by David Jason due to conflicting production schedules. Pick any popular mainstream long lived British drama or comedy over the past two decades and you will probably find that Billy Murray has had guest-starring roles in most of them at one time or another. He is the father of actress Jaime Murray, who plays the gorgeous Stacie in the runaway hit drama Hustle (2004) on BBC 1.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
October 6, 1941 (85)
From
Forest Gate, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor and producer
Titles
37 on MovieCove · 63 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 10% in 30 days

What are Billy Murray's films like?

Across their 29 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Action11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Crime9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 15th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
24%
Morality
23%
Power
20%
Bonds
15%
Self
14%
Society
2%
Ideas
1%
Survival10 titles, browse their movies with this themePower6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge6 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 29 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 7 · Dark 17

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 19 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 11 · Intense 15

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 14 · Whiplash 6

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 25 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 17 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 12 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 9 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 9

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 5
Shadow
2 of 5
Ally
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
28
Dread
17
Thrilling
10
Melancholic
5
Cold
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Unsettling20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic8
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Billy Murray's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Billy Murray's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

63 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance(2023)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Renegades(2022)

    as Woody

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Rise of the Footsoldier: Origins(2021)

    as Mickey Steele

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Nemesis(2021)

    as John Morgan

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Vengeance(2020)

    as Eric Williams

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Rise of the Footsoldier 3(2017)

    as Mickey Steele

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • We Still Steal the Old Way(2016)

    as Vic Farrow

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Bonded by Blood 2(2017)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Last Scout(2017)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Hedda Gabler(2016)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Fall of the Krays(2016)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Age of Kill(2015)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Disappearance Of Lenka Wood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Draper

  • What's the Score (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as The Producer

  • Essex Boys Retribution(2013)

    Producer · as Prisoner

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Shame the Devil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Executive Producer

  • The Wee Man(2013)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • One in the Chamber(2012)

    as Leo Crosby

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Rise & Fall of a White Collar Hooligan(2012)

    Producer · as Mr. Robinson

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Strippers vs Werewolves(2012)

    Producer · as Ferris

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Airborne(2012)

    Producer · as Cutter

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Fall of the Essex Boys(2013)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • The Warning(2012)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • How to Stop Being a Loser(2011)

    Producer · as Dr. Leaner

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Stalker(2010)

    Producer · as Robert Gainer

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Freight(2010)

    Producer · as Gabe Taylor

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Dead Cert(2010)

    Producer · as Dante Livenko

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Doghouse(2009)

    Producer · as Colonel

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Rise of the Footsoldier(2007)

    as Mickey Steele

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Grey Man(2007)

    as George Rowlands

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Rollin' with the Nines(2006)

    as David Brumby

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Hell to Pay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Larry Malone

  • Beech is Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Aladdin: The ITV Pantomime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Police Chief

  • Essex Boys(2000)

    as Perry Elley

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Bill: Target (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as D.S. Beech

  • A Touch of Frost(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Boxley

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Buddy's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Harry

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Don Collins

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • EastEnders(1985)

    Show 416 episodes · as Johnny Allen

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

  • Dempsey and Makepeace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Billy Kennaway

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Grass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Bernie

  • Saturday Night Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernie

  • Bergerac(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as John Kelp

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Private Schulz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred

  • McVicar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Joey Davis

  • Minder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Pope · as Mick

  • On a Paving Stone Mounted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • The Professionals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Morgan

  • Target (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Rex Adcock

  • Rock Follies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 11 episodes · as Spike

  • The Sweeney(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian Cooney

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • New Scotland Yard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Palmer · as George Read

  • Performance(1970)

    as Thug (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric · as Jim · as Welder #2

  • The Root of All Evil? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Terry Milward

  • Corruption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Rik

  • Up the Junction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Ray

  • Poor Cow(1967)

    as Tom's Mate

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • What a Crazy World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Youth

  • Two Left Feet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Yob

  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner(1962)

    as Borstal Inmate (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles from 1962 to 2023; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

The Wee Man (2013)

$610K worldwide

Highest rated

Poor Cow (1967)

Midcredits 74th

Film career

19622023

Peak 2011 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 57: 50 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score33rdProducing7 of 57: 4 only producing, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score13th

57 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1960s8 · acting1970s8 · acting1980s9 · acting1990s3 · acting2000s8 · acting2010s16 · 13 acting · 6 crew2020s5 · 4 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
6297

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Billy Murray's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 31st percentile, the median of all 32; across their 29 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 14th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

14thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Approval · how many liked their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Reach · how many have seen their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Midcredits score across 37 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th16

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 37 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · producer

Hedda Gabler (2016)

95th percentile spread · 54% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)

Midcredits 93rd · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 44/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 27. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Billy Murray's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity6 titles37–66 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Billy Murray work with?

People who share at least 2 of Billy Murray's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jonathan Sothcott shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles